(Full time) 2019 start
Global Supply Chain Management MSc
Overview
In today’s global marketplace organisations increasingly depend on effective supply chains to remain competitive. Managing global operations, logistics and supply chains is a crucial business function to ensure the timely movement of inventory around the globe.
This masters degree, designed for recent graduates and early career supply chain professionals, combines the latest thinking and developments in management, international business and supply chain management. You will develop a critical insight into how organisations operate in the global environment.
Your modules will equip you with an understanding of advanced theories and the practical methods needed to analyse emerging issues in global supply chains, alongside developing your professional skills.
You’ll be taught by internationally recognised academics and business practitioners, providing hands-on, analytics and problem-solving skills.
Academic excellence
The Centre for Operations and Supply Chain Research is one of several leading research centres at Leeds University Business School. The centre focuses on developing and disseminating knowledge in operations and supply chain management, as well as advancing managerial practices. Research aims to benefit students, academic researchers, policy/decision makers, management consultants, public and business managers, and wider society.
We also have partnerships with over 200 academic and business institutions worldwide. Senior figures with expertise in a range of management disciplines are regularly invited to deliver guest lectures to our students, academics and local business leaders.
Watch a guest lecture from Dr Tomas Hult, Professor of International Business at Michigan State University, discussing the growing importance of global supply chain management.
Course content
This course will introduce you to the key aspects of supply chain management and place them in a wider business context. The modules lay the foundations that will allow you to expand your knowledge in supply chain management, international business and management studies.
You'll focus on the problem-solving element of operations and supply chain management, and at the same time gain an awareness of key theories in international business, supply chain management and management studies.
You'll also develop practical techniques and a critical awareness of international strategic management, as well as an understanding of organisational behaviour. You’ll explore systems thinking to understand how individual elements contribute to a bigger problem and take further modules designed to build your professional skills.
All of these aspects of your studies come together in your dissertation, in which you’ll conduct research on a topic of your choice in depth to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
You’ll take 9 compulsory modules including your dissertation.
- Managing Global Logistics and Supply Chains 15 credits
- Operations and Supply Chain Management 15 credits
- International Business Theory 15 credits
- Commercial and Professional Skills 15 credits
- International Purchasing and Supply Management 15 credits
- Digital Transformation Management 15 credits
- Innovation in Operations and Information Systems 15 credits
- Research Design and Analysis 15 credits
- Dissertation 45 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You'll also choose one optional module.
- Behaviour in Organisations 15 credits
- International Strategic Management 15 credits
- Challenges in Information Management 15 credits
- Business Analytics and Decision Science 15 credits
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include lectures, seminars, workshops, guest lectures, online learning and tutorials.
Independent study is also vital for this course allowing you to prepare for taught classes and sharpen your own research and critical skills.
Assessment
Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too.
You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including exams, group projects, written assignments and essays, in-course assessment, group and individual presentations and reports.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in any subject.
International qualifications
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Business Management and Enterprise (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Business Management and Enterprise (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadline:
We operate a staged admissions process for this course with selection deadlines throughout the year.
If you do not receive an offer in a particular round, you will either be notified that your application has been unsuccessful, or we will carry your application forward to be considered in the next round.
Please see our How to Apply page for full details and the application deadlines for each stage.
Documents and information you’ll need
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
- Two academic references
- A personal statement
- An up-to-date CV
- Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
- A letter of sponsorship, if you need one.
* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
Leeds University Business School Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy
Fees
- UK/EU: £11,500 (total)
- International: £21,500 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
We award a range of scholarships to UK, EU and international students. Scholarships are available to candidates who can demonstrate an excellent academic record and show excellent professional and personal skills.
There are several scholarships available for this course that you may be eligible to apply for, including:
- Masters in Global Supply Chain Management International Excellence Scholarship
- Masters in Global Supply Chain Management UK/EU Excellence Scholarship
- Dean's Excellence Scholarship (UK/EU and International)
- Leeds Alumni Bursary and Excellence Scholarship
Read more about Business School scholarships.
Career opportunities
The pace of globalisation means there is increasing need for graduates with knowledge and capability in managing international business and global supply chains.
As a graduate of this course, you will have the skills to pursue any role involving import/export or negotiations with international suppliers. You will be equipped to pursue opportunities within multinational organisations, companies involved in sourcing and delivering products globally, management consultancies connecting global firms, or as an entrepreneur looking to develop a global business. Our recent graduates work for a range of organisations including Tesco, Ikea, DP World, Deloitte and IBM.
Links with industry
Students on this course have the opportunity to engage with senior leaders from the world of business as part of our Leaders in Residence initiative. Successful and established business people will share their experience at speaker events and guest lectures to help you connect the theory of your course to real world practice.
Careers support
We help you to achieve your career ambitions by providing professional development support as part of the course. You benefit from our professional development tutor, who will help you to develop the academic skills to successfully progress through the course, and also the professional skills you will need to start a successful career.
Read more about our careers and professional development support.
The Careers Centre also provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate.